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According to a fresh analysis, scores of personnel with histories in the fossil fuel sector have been placed within the current leadership, including more than 40 who formerly been employed directly for coal companies.

Overview of the Analysis

This analysis analyzed the backgrounds of candidates and personnel positioned in the executive branch and multiple government departments handling environmental policy. Those cover important bodies like the environmental agency, the Interior Department, and the energy office.

Wider Policy Climate

This analysis comes during ongoing actions to roll back climate regulations and alternative energy supports. For example, latest acts have opened extensive regions of federal property for drilling and reduced support for renewable sources.

Amid the barrage of negative actions that have happened on the climate arena... it’s important to educate the public that these are not just actions from the vague, huge thing that is the government generally, commented one author involved in the report. They are frequently particular players coming from specific moneyed sectors that are executing this harmful pro-industry plan.

Major Discoveries

Researchers discovered 111 employees whom they considered as fossil fuel insiders and alternative energy adversaries. This covers 43 people who were personally employed by coal companies. Among them are high-profile leading leaders such as the energy secretary, who previously served as chief executive of a fracking firm.

This roster also features lower-profile White House members. For example, the department handling energy efficiency is headed by a previous gas executive. Similarly, a senior regulatory counsel in the executive office has served in high-ranking positions at large petroleum firms.

Additional Connections

Another 12 personnel possess links to fossil fuel-funded libertarian research groups. These include previous employees and associates of entities that have vigorously resisted alternative sources and promoted the continuation of fossil fuels.

Additionally 29 other officials are previous corporate leaders from heavy industry sectors whose operations are closely connected to energy resources. Other personnel have relationships with power companies that sell conventional power or public leaders who have advocated pro-coal agendas.

Agency Focus

Researchers discovered that 32 staff at the Department of the Interior alone have connections to fossil fuel industries, making it the most heavily influenced federal agency. That encompasses the head of the office, who has repeatedly taken energy donations and served as a conduit between fossil fuel sector donors and the administration.

Campaign Contributions

Energy contributors provided significant funds to the campaign operation and swearing-in. After assuming power, the leadership has not only established industry-friendly regulations but also crafted incentives and exceptions that favor the industry.

Qualifications Questions

Besides oil-tied candidates, the authors found a number of government officials who were selected to influential positions with little or no relevant experience.

Those officials may not be tied to the energy sector so closely, but their unfamiliarity is dangerous, said one analyst. It’s reasonable to think they will be pushovers, or vulnerable targets, for the oil industry’s plans.

For instance, the nominee to lead the environmental agency’s division of general counsel has limited legal history, having never handled a lawsuit to completion, nor participated in a deposition, and never filed a legal request.

During another instance, a executive aide working on regulatory issues moved to the role after working in roles unrelated to energy, with no apparent specific field or administrative background.

Administration Reaction

One spokesperson for the White House dismissed the report, saying that the government’s officials are exceptionally capable to execute on the people’s instruction to increase national energy output.

Previous and Current Environment

This government oversaw a massive array of pro-industry steps during its first period. During its second tenure, equipped with pro-business plans, it has spearheaded a far wider and more aggressive dismantling on climate regulations and renewable energy.

There is no embarrassment, said one researcher. The administration is eager and ready to go out there and promote the fact that they are executing assistance for the fossil fuel sector, mining sector, the energy sector.